Methods And Apparatus For Electromagnetic Navigation Of A Magnetic Stimulation Probe

ABSTRACT

A system and method is disclosed that can be used to track and navigate an instrument relative to a patient. The system can include an electromagnetic tracking system to track an electromagnetic stimulation probe, such as a transcranial magnetic stimulation probe. The system can, according to various embodiments, provide a tracking device on the probe, track the coil of the probe, provide a field relative to the probe, and determine the position of the patient based upon the field produced by the probe.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/104,550 filed on Apr. 17, 2008, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/913,459, filed on Apr. 23, 2007. Thedisclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD

The present disclosure is directed to a surgical navigation system, andparticularly to a navigation system and planning system to navigate astimulation probe to direct stimulation to a selected or planned regionof an anatomy.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background informationrelated to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

Surgical procedures can be performed on a patient for various purposes.Surgical procedures can use multiple techniques and instruments. Becausemany procedures are performed within or affect a patient's internalanatomy, it is desirable to provide a system that allows a determinationof a position of an instrument, an implant, or a treatment affectrelative to the patient during an operative procedure.

Imaging devices can provide image data of portions of the patient, bothinternal and external. For example, a fluoroscope, magnetic resonanceimager, etc. can be provided to obtain image data of a selected portionof the patient's anatomy. The image data can be used to view a selectedportion of the anatomy. It is desirable, however, to provide the imagedata to plan or select an appropriate or optimum therapy factor.Therefore, it is desirable to provide a system that allows for ease andefficiency of determining a position of an instrument relative to thepatient for viewing on a display. This can assist in determining aposition of the instrument or implant relative to the patient during anoperative procedure. It is also desirable to provide a system thatassists in determining a position and instrument that provides anoptimized therapy to an affected region.

A tracking or navigation system can be used to track and determine theposition of a probe or device relative to the anatomy. It is desired,however, to provide a navigation system and tracking system that isoperable to determine the position to a probe relative to a portion ofthe anatomy for a probe in a non-invasive configuration. It is furtherdesirable to provide a system that is operable to determine the positionof a probe to further determine the location of a therapy or stimulationbeing provided to the anatomy by the probe. It is desirable to providesuch a tracking system to determine the position of the device and toplan the appropriate positioning of a device for providing a therapy orstimulation to the anatomy.

The tracking or navigation of a non-invasive probe can be performed withan optical system. An optical system, however, requires line or sight, atracking device affixed to the probe. etc. The tracking device can belarge or cumbersome, in various designs. In addition, the opticaltracking device requires an additional component added to the probe. Itis desirable, therefore, to provide a small tracking device or eliminatethe need for a separate tracking device on the probe.

SUMMARY

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. It should be understood that the description andspecific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

A system and method are disclosed for tracking and navigating anon-invasive instrument relative to the anatomy. The non-invasiveinstrument probe can include a transcranial magnetic stimulator (TMS)probe. The TMS probe can include one or more coils operable to producean electric field near or at a position relative to the coil. The coilcan be energized in any appropriate manner to provide the magneticfield. The TMS probe is exemplary of any appropriate instrument whichcan include a magnetic stimulation device.

Further, the TMS probe can be navigated according to variousembodiments. For example, the probe can be navigated by positioning atracking device on the TMS probe. The tracking device, according tovarious embodiments, can include a wire coil, as discussed furtherherein. A localizing or tracking system can further include a coilsystem operable to transmit an electromagnetic field to allow trackingof the tracking device positioned on the TMS probe.

According to various embodiments, the coils of the TMS probe can be usedas the tracking device, this can eliminate the need for a separatetracking device. The localizer system can emit a field which can be usedto track the TMS probe. According to various embodiments, the patient orother portion relative to which the TMS probe is being navigated caninclude a tracking device. The tracking device positioned on the patientcan be referred to as a dynamic reference frame. The localizer systemcan be integrated with or attached to the TMS probe. Therefore, thelocalizer or system can produce a field that the dynamic reference framecan sense and determine a position relative to the localizer array whichis affixed or integrated with the TMS probe. According to variousembodiments, the TMS probe, as discussed above including a coil operableto produce an electromagnetic field, can act as a localizer system. Thepatient can further include a dynamic reference frame to sense the fieldproduced by the TMS probe. It will be understood, as further discussedherein, that the localizer system can transmit a field, receive a field,or combinations thereof. Therefore, the tracking device, either providedwith the TMS probe or with the dynamic reference frame, can also emit afield, receive a field, or combinations thereof. Therefore, it will beunderstood that the discussion of a portion transmitting a field andanother portion receiving the field is merely exemplary and the systemcan also operate in reverse.

According to various embodiments, a system to navigate a non-invasiveprocedure for a patient is disclosed. The system can include anelectromagnetic tracking system including an electromagnetic localizersystem. The system can also include a magnetic stimulation probeoperable to produce a probe electromagnetic field, wherein the probeelectromagnetic field is operable to induce a current in a conductivematerial. A processor system can determine the position of a magneticstimulation probe relative to the patient based at least in part on thefield produced by the electromagnetic localizer system. The magneticstimulation probe is operable to stimulate a selected portion of thepatient.

According to various embodiments, system to navigate a non-invasiveprocedure on an anatomy is disclosed. The system can include aninstrument having at least one coil of conductive material and acontroller operable to drive a current through the coil so that the coilproduces an electromagnetic field. An imaging device can obtain imagedata of the anatomy. An electromagnetic tracking system can detect aposition of the instrument relative to the anatomy. A display device isoperable to display the image data of the anatomy and an iconrepresenting the instrument. In addition, a processor system candetermine the position of the instrument relative to the anatomy anddraw the icon with the display device of the instrument at a locationrepresenting the position of the instrument relative to the anatomy.

According to various embodiments, a method of navigating a magneticstimulation probe relative to an anatomy is disclosed. The method can beused to determine a focal region of an electromagnetic field produced bythe magnetic stimulation probe. The magnetic stimulation probe can betracked with an electromagnetic tracking system. Image data of theanatomy can be obtained and displayed on a display device. In addition,an icon representing a position of the focal region superimposed on thedisplayed image data based upon the tracked location of the magneticstimulation probe.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

FIG. 1 is an environmental view of a surgical navigation systemaccording to various embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a detail view of a magnetic stimulation device;

FIG. 3 is an environmental view of a magnetic stimulation devicenavigation system according to various embodiments;

FIG. 4 is an environmental view of a magnetic stimulation devicenavigation system according to various embodiments;

FIG. 5 is an environmental view of a magnetic stimulation devicenavigation system according to various embodiments;

FIG. 6 is an environmental view of a magnetic stimulation devicenavigation system according to various embodiments;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a display device displaying image data and anicon representing a position of an instrument relative to the imagedata; and

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a method of navigating an instrument.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is notintended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.

A guided or navigated procedure can be performed with a navigationsystem 20, illustrated in FIG. 1. The guided procedure can be anyappropriate procedure, such as a neural procedure, spinal procedure, oran orthopedic procedure. The navigation system 20 can include variouscomponents, as will be discussed further herein. The navigation system20 can allow a user, such as a surgeon 21 to view on a display device 22a relative position of an instrument 24 to a coordinate system. Thecoordinate system can be relative to image data displayed on the displaydevice 22, to a patient only, to a point outside of a patient, orcombinations of these. Further, the navigation system 20 can be usedwith image data, imageless or without image data, atlas data specificimage data, or combinations of these.

It should further be noted that the navigation system 20 can be used tonavigate or track various instruments including: cannulas, catheters,probes, needles, guidewires, instruments, implants, deep brainstimulators, electrical leads, magnetic stimulators, etc. Moreover, theinstrument 24 can be used in any region of the body. The navigationsystem 20 and the instrument 24 can be used in any appropriateprocedure, such as one that is generally minimally invasive,arthroscopic, percutaneous, stereotactic, or an open procedure.

Also, the single illustrated instrument 24 is only exemplary of anyappropriate instrument and may also represent many instruments, such asa series or group of instruments. Identity and other informationrelating to the instrument 24 can also be provided to the navigationsystem 20. Information from an instrument tracking device 31 can betransmitted along an information system 25 to the workstation. Further,the information about the instrument 24 can also be displayed on thedisplay device 22 for viewing by the surgeon 21.

The navigation system 20 can include an imaging device 26 that is usedto acquire pre-, intra-, or post-operative or real-time image data of apatient 28. The imaging device 26 can be, for example, a fluoroscopicx-ray imaging device that may be configured as, and also referred to as,a C-arm 26 having an x-ray source 30 and an x-ray receiving section 32.The sections can be mounted relative to one another and moveablerelative to a base 35. The base 35 can be fixed relative to the patient28. An optional calibration and tracking target and optional radiationsensors can be provided, as understood by one skilled in the art. Anexample of a fluoroscopic C-arm x-ray device that may be used as theimaging device 26 is the ARCADIS® Orbic or ARCADIS® Orbic 3D fromSiemens Medical of Germany. Other exemplary fluoroscopes includebi-plane fluoroscopic systems, ceiling fluoroscopic systems, cath-labfluoroscopic systems, fixed C-arm fluoroscopic systems, 3D fluoroscopicsystems, O-arm™ imaging devices (i.e. devices sold by Breakaway Imaging,LLC. having a place of business in Massachusetts, USA), etc.

An optional imaging device controller 34 can control the imaging device26 to capture the x-ray images received at the receiving section 32 andstore the images for later use. The receiving section 32 can also bereferred to as or act as, according to various embodiments, an imagecollection section or image intensifier. The controller 34 may also beseparate from the C-arm 26 or located a distance from the C-arm 26. Thecontroller 34 can control the C-arm 26 to control movement in thedirection of arrow 26 a or rotate about a longitudinal axis 28 a of thepatient 28, allowing anterior or lateral views of the patient 28 to beimaged. Each of these movements involves rotation about a mechanicalaxis 36 of the C-arm 26.

The operation of the C-arm 26 is understood by one skilled in the artand not repeated in detail here. Briefly, however, x-rays can be emittedfrom an x-ray section 30 and received at a receiving section 32. Thereceiving section 32 can include a camera that can create the image datafrom the received x-rays. Further, a C-arm tracking device 38 can beprovided to track a position of any portion of the C-arm 26, such as thereceiving section 32, at any appropriate time by the tracking system 50.

It will be understood that image data can be created or captured withany appropriate imaging device, such as a magnetic resonance imagingsystem, a positron emission tomography system, computed tomography, orany appropriate system. It will be further understood that variousimaging systems can be calibrated according to various known techniques.The use of the C-arm 26, however, can be used according to variousembodiments disclosed herein.

The image data can be forwarded from the C-arm controller 34 to anavigation computer and/or processor system 40 via a communicationsystem 41. The communication system 41 can be wireless, wired, a datatransfer device (e.g. a CD-Rom or DVD-Rom), or any appropriate system.The processor system 40 can also include the C-arm controller 34. TheC-arm controller 34 and the processor system 40 can also, therefore,include a BUS communication system or internal communication. It willalso be understood that the image data is not necessarily first retainedin the controller 34, but may be directly transmitted to a workstation42 or to a tracking system 50, as discussed herein.

A work station 42 can include the processor system 40, the displaydevice 22, a user interface 44, and a memory 46. The processor system 40can process the image data, navigation data, planning data, treatmentarea data, etc. The processor system 40 can include one or multipleseparate processors to execute selected instructions or perform varioustasks.

The work station 42 provides facilities for displaying the image data 23as an image on the display device 22, saving, digitally manipulating, orprinting a hard copy image of the received image data 23. The userinterface 44 may be a keyboard, mouse, touch pen, touch screen or othersuitable device. The user interface device 44 allows a physician or userto provide inputs to control the imaging device 26, via the C-armcontroller 34, or adjust the display settings of the display device 22.The user interface 44 can also allow a user to manipulate the navigationsystem 20 in any selected manner.

While the imaging device 26 is shown in FIG. 1, any other alternative2D, 3D or 4D imaging modality may also be used. As disclosed herein anyappropriate imaging system can be used in the navigation system toprovide image data. The imaging system 26 can generally provideinformation regarding movement of a capturing or receiving section 32thereof to determine a position of the capturing portion relative to thepatient 28. For example, any 2D, 3D or 4D imaging device, such asisocentric fluoroscopy, bi-plane fluoroscopy, ultrasound, computedtomography (CT), multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT), T1 weightedmagnetic resonance imaging (MRI), T2 weighted MRI, high frequencyultrasound (HIFU), positron emission tomography (PET), optical coherencetomography (OCT), intra-vascular ultrasound (IVUS), ultrasound,intra-operative CT, single photo emission computed tomography (SPECT),or planar gamma scintigraphy (PGS) may also be used to acquire 2D, 3D or4D pre- or post-operative and/or real-time images or image data of thepatient 28. The images may also be obtained and displayed in two, threeor four dimensions. In more advanced forms, four-dimensional surfacerendering regions of the body may also be achieved by incorporatingpatient data or other data from an atlas or anatomical model map or frompre-operative image data captured by MRI, CT, or echocardiographymodalities. A more detailed discussion of optical coherence tomography(OCT), is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,740,808, issued Apr. 21, 1998,entitled “Systems And Methods For Guiding Diagnostic Or TherapeuticDevices In Interior Tissue Regions” which is hereby incorporated byreference.

Image datasets from hybrid modalities, such as positron emissiontomography (PET) combined with CT, or single photon emission computertomography (SPECT) combined with CT, can also provide functional imagedata superimposed onto anatomical data to be used to confidently reachtarget sites within the patient 28. It should further be noted that theoptional imaging device 26, as shown in FIG. 1, provides a virtualbi-plane image using a single-head C-arm fluoroscope as the optionalimaging device 26 by simply rotating the C-arm 26 about at least twoplanes, which could be orthogonal planes to generate two-dimensionalimages that can be converted to three-dimensional volumetric images. Byacquiring images in more than one plane, an icon representing thelocation of an impacter, stylet, reamer driver, taps, drill, deep brainstimulators, electrical leads, needles, implants, probes, or otherinstrument, introduced and advanced in the patient 28, may besuperimposed in more than one view on the display device 22. Displayingan icon in multiple views can allow simulated bi-plane or evenmulti-plane views, including two and three-dimensional views.

With continuing reference to FIG. 1, the navigation system 20 canfurther include a tracking system, such as an electromagnetic (EM)tracking system 50 that includes a localizer 52 (e.g. a coil array ormultiple coil arrays), a coil array controller 54, a navigationinterface 56 for an instrument tracking device, and a dynamic referenceframe 58. The dynamic reference frame 58 can be used to determine at anypoint in time, a position of the patient 28 in the navigated space. Oneskilled in the art will understand, however, that any appropriatenavigation system can be used, such as an optical navigation system, aradar navigation system, an acoustic navigation system, an accelerometernavigation system, etc.

The dynamic reference frame 58 can include a dynamic reference framemember or holder 60 and a removable tracking device 62. Alternatively,the dynamic reference frame 58 can include a tracking device that isformed integrally with the dynamic reference frame member 60. Oneskilled in the art will understand that the tracking device 62 can beany appropriate device that can be an emitter, a receiver, a reflector,a sensor to sense a field, or any other appropriate device that can betracked by a tracking system including the localizer 52.

The localizer coil array 52 may also be supplemented or replaced with asecond localizer 52 a. The second localizer 52 a may be the same as thefirst localizer 52 or different, such as that described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/941,782, filed Sep. 15, 2004, now U.S. Pat. App.Pub. No. 2005/0085720, and entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SURGICALNAVIGATION”, herein incorporated by reference.

As is understood, the localizer array 52 can transmit signals that arereceived by an appropriate tracking device. The signal transmitted bythe localizer 52 can be an electromagnetic field that will have adifferent strength at any position in the field. The coil array 52 caninclude a plurality of coils each operable to generate distinctelectromagnetic fields into the navigation region of the patient 28,which is sometimes referred to as patient space. Electromagnetic systemsare generally described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,820, entitled “PositionLocation System,” issued Jun. 22, 1999 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,592,939,entitled “Method and System for Navigating a Catheter Probe,” issuedJan. 14, 1997, each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The tracking device, such as the tracking device 62 of the dynamicreference frame 58, an instrument tracking device 31 on the instrument24, the tracking device 38 on the imaging device 26, etc. can sense thefield strength at their respective locations. The tracking device 62 ofthe dynamic reference frame 58, the instrument tracking device 31, andthe tracking device 38 can then transmit signals based upon the receivedsignals from the array 52, 52 a. One skilled in the art will alsounderstand that the localizer 52, 52 a can receive or sense a fieldproduced by the various tracking devices 62, 31, and 38. Thus the systemcan work in either manner or a combination.

It should further be noted that the entire tracking system 50 or partsof the tracking system 50 may be incorporated into the imaging device26. For example, one of the localizers can be incorporated into theimaging device 26. Incorporating the tracking system 50 may provide anintegrated imaging and tracking system. Any combination of thesecomponents may also be incorporated into the imaging system 26, whichcan include any appropriate imaging device.

The coil array 52, which can include multiple individual coils, can bepositioned at any appropriate location. For example it can be attachedto the receiving section 32 of the C-arm 26. Alternatively, the coilarray 52 may be positioned at the x-ray source 30, within or atop anoperating room (OR) table 84, on siderails associated with the OR table84, or positioned on the patient 28. The coil array 52 may also bepositioned in the items being navigated.

The coil array 52 is controlled or driven by the coil array controller54. The coil array controller 54 can drive each coil in the coil array52 in a time division multiplex or a frequency division multiplexmanner. In this regard, each coil may be driven separately at a distincttime or all of the coils may be driven simultaneously with each beingdriven at a different frequency, as discussed further herein. Thisarrangement makes the coil array 52 a transmitter coil array. It will beunderstood that the coil array may also receive or sense a field, asdiscussed above. Thus, reference to a transmitter coil array is merelyexemplary and not intended to limit the type of localizer used in aselected tracking system.

Upon driving the coils in the transmitter coil array 52 with the coilarray controller 54, electromagnetic fields are generated within thepatient 28, which is sometimes referred to as patient space. Theelectromagnetic fields generated in the patient space induce currents toproduce signals in the tracking devices 31, 38, 62 positioned in thenavigation field. These induced signals are delivered to the navigationdevice interface 56 and can be forwarded to the coil array controller54, as discussed above. Again, it will be understood that the trackingdevices may transmit a field and induce a signal in the localizer 52.

The navigation device interface 54 may provide all the necessaryelectrical isolation for the navigation system 20, as discussed herein.The navigation device interface 56 can also include amplifiers, filtersand buffers to directly interface with the tracking devices 31, 38, 62.Alternatively, the tracking devices 31, 38, 62 or any other appropriateportion, may employ a wireless communications channel, such as thatdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,474,341, entitled “Surgical CommunicationPower System,” issued Nov. 5, 2002, herein incorporated by reference, asopposed to being coupled with a physical transmission line to thenavigation device interface 56.

When the navigation system 20 uses an EM based tracking system, variousportions of the navigation system 20 are equipped with at least one coiland generally multiple coils. The coils can be used with the EMlocalizer arrays 52, 52 a to determine a position of the coils. Thecoils are generally defined by tracking devices 31, 38, 62 that areassociated with the portions to be tracked. Thus, determining a positionof the coils allows a determination of a position of the trackingdevices and the portions to which they are attached. Alternatively, thetracking system 50 may be a hybrid system that includes components fromvarious tracking systems such as optical, acoustic, radiation, radar,etc.

The tracking device 31 on the instrument 24 can be in a handle orinserter that interconnects with an attachment portion. The instrument24 can include a graspable or manipulable portion at a proximal end atthe tracking device and can be fixed near the manipulable portion of theinstrument 24 or at a distal working end. The tracking device 24 caninclude an electromagnetic sensor to sense the electromagnetic fieldgenerated by the transmitter coil array 52 that can induce a current inthe tracking device 31, or vice versa as discussed above.

The instrument 24 can include a magnetic stimulation probe, such as atranscranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) probe 100, illustrated in detailin FIG. 2. The TMS probe 100 can include the tracking device 31positioned at an appropriate location. The tracking device 31 can, forexample, be positioned anywhere on the TMS probe 100 if the TMS probe100 is substantially rigid. The tracking device 31 can also bepositioned substantially near a distal or working end 102 of the TMSprobe 100. Also, an additional or alternative localizing system 52 b canbe provided associated with the TMS probe 100.

The tracking device 31, either alone or in combination with a guidedevice, can be used by the tracking system 50 to determine the locationof the working end or coil portion 102 of the TMS probe 100. Therefore,the position of the TMS probe 100 can be determined based upon thetracked position of the tracking device 31. The coil portion 102, asdiscussed further herein, can include stimulation coils. The stimulationcoils can produce a field that is focused at a selected position inspace. The tracking device 31, in addition to the navigation system 20including the tracking system 50, can be used to determine the positionof the focal point in space relative to any appropriate portion of thepatient space.

Each of the tracking devices 31, 38, 62 can also be coupled to thenavigation device interface 56 to forward the information to the coilarray controller 54. For example, the dynamic reference frame 58,according to various embodiments, may include a small magnetic fielddetector as the tracking device 62. The dynamic reference frame 58 maybe fixed to the patient 28 adjacent to the region being navigated sothat any movement of the patient 28 is detected as relative motionbetween the transmitter coil array 52 and the dynamic reference frame58. The dynamic reference frame 58 can be interconnected with thepatient 28 in any appropriate manner, including those discussed herein.Any relative motion is forwarded to the coil array controller 54, whichupdates registration correlation and maintains accurate navigation,further discussed herein. An electromagnetic dynamic reference frame 58can be configured as a pair or trio of orthogonally oriented coils, eachhaving the same center or may be configured in any other non-coaxial orco-axial coil configurations.

The dynamic reference frame 58 may be affixed externally to the patient28, adjacent to the region of navigation, such as on the patient'scranium, etc., as shown in FIG. 1. The dynamic reference frame 58 can beaffixed to the patient's skin, by way of a selected adhesive patchand/or a tensioning system. The dynamic reference frame 58 may also beremovably attachable to a fiducial marker 69. The fiducial markers canbe anatomical landmarks or members attached or positioned on thepatient's 28 body. The dynamic reference frame 58 can also be connectedto a bone portion of the anatomy. The bone portion can be adjacent thearea of the procedure, the bone of the procedure, or any appropriatebody portion.

Although the discussion above is directed to an electromagneticnavigation and tracking system, it will be understood that anyappropriate tracking system can be used as the tracking system 50. Forexample, one skilled in the art will understand that appropriatetracking systems include, but are not limited to, an optical trackingsystem, a radar tracking system, an acoustic tracking system, anaccelerometer tracking system. Nevertheless, the tracking system caninclude any appropriate portions, such as an appropriate localizer forthe tracking system and appropriate tracking devices for the trackingsystem. Thus, the discussion herein regarding an electromagnetictracking system is merely exemplary of any appropriate tracking system.Also, more than one tracking system can be used during a procedure, suchas a hybrid system discussed above. Thus, an EM and an optical trackingsystem can be used at the same time to track a tracking device withinthe same space.

Briefly, the navigation system 20 operates as follows. The navigationsystem 20 creates a translation map between all points in the image dataor image space and the corresponding points in the patient's anatomy inpatient space. After this map is established, the image space andpatient space are registered. In other words, registration is theprocess of determining how to correlate a position in image space with acorresponding point in real or patient space. This can also be used toillustrate a position of the instrument 24 relative to the proposedtrajectory and/or the determined anatomical target. The work station 42in combination with the coil array controller 54 and the C-armcontroller 34 identify the corresponding point on the pre-acquired imageor atlas model relative to the tracked instrument 24 and display theposition on display device 22 and relative to the image data 23. Thisidentification is known as navigation or localization. An iconrepresenting the localized point or instruments is shown on the displaydevice 22 within several two-dimensional image planes, as well as onthree and four dimensional images and models.

To register the patient 28, the surgeon 21 may use point registration byselecting and storing particular points from the pre-acquired images andthen touching the corresponding points on the patient's 28 anatomy witha pointer probe or any appropriate tracked device, such as theinstrument 24. The navigation system 20 analyzes the relationshipbetween the two sets of points that are selected and computes a match,which allows for a determination of a correlation of every point in theimage data or image space with its corresponding point on the patient'sanatomy or the patient space.

The points that are selected to perform registration or form atranslation map are the fiducial markers 69, such as anatomical orartificial landmarks. Again, the fiducial markers 69 are identifiable onthe images and identifiable and accessible on the patient 28. Thefiducial markers 69 can be artificial landmarks that are positioned onthe patient 28 or anatomical landmarks that can be easily identified inthe image data. The artificial fiducial markers 69, can also form partof the dynamic reference frame 58, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 6,381,485, entitled “Registration of Human Anatomy Integrated forElectromagnetic Localization,” issued Apr. 30, 2002, herein incorporatedby reference. It will be understood that the “X” illustrated in FIG. 1can merely indicate a position of a fiducial marker 69 rather than beingthe fiducial marker 69.

The system 20 may also perform registration using anatomic surfaceinformation or path information as is known in the art (and may bereferred to as auto-registration). The system 20 may also perform 2D to3D registration by utilizing the acquired 2D images to register 3Dvolume images by use of contour algorithms, point algorithms or densitycomparison algorithms, as is known in the art. An exemplary 2D to 3Dregistration procedure is set forth in U.S. Ser. No. 10/644,680, filedon Aug. 20, 2003, now U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2004-0215071, entitled“Method and Apparatus for Performing 2D to 3D Registration”,incorporated herein by reference.

In order to maintain registration accuracy, the navigation system 20 cancontinuously track the position of the patient 28 during registrationand navigation with the dynamic reference frame 58. This is because thepatient 28, dynamic reference frame 58, and transmitter coil array 52may all move during the procedure, even when this movement is notdesired. Alternatively, the patient 28 may be held immobile once theregistration has occurred, such as with a head frame. Therefore, if thenavigation system 20 did not track the position of the patient 28 orarea of the anatomy, any patient movement after image acquisition wouldresult in inaccurate navigation within that image. The dynamic referenceframe 58 allows the tracking system 50 to track the anatomy and canassist in registration. Because the dynamic reference frame 58 isrigidly fixed to the patient 28, any movement of the anatomy or thetransmitter coil array 52 is detected as the relative motion between thetransmitter coil array 52 and the dynamic reference frame 58. Thisrelative motion is communicated to the coil array controller 54, via thenavigation probe interface 56, which updates the registrationcorrelation to thereby maintain accurate navigation.

The dynamic reference frame 58 can be affixed to any appropriate portionof the patient 28, and can be used to register the patient space to theimage data or image space, as discussed above. For example, when aprocedure is being performed relative to a cranium 29, the dynamicreference frame 58 can be interconnected with the cranium 29. Thedynamic reference frame 58 can be interconnected with the cranium 29 inany appropriate manner, such as those discussed herein according tovarious embodiments.

The navigation system 20 can detect both the position of the patient'sanatomy and the position of the device 58 or attachment member (e.g.tracking device 31) attached to the instrument 24. Knowing the locationof these two items allows the navigation system 20 to compute anddisplay the position of the instrument 24 or any portion thereof inrelation to the patient 28, after registration. The tracking system 50is employed to track the instrument 24 and the anatomy 28simultaneously, as discussed above according to various embodiments.

To obtain maximum accuracy it can be selected to fix the dynamicreference frame 58 in each of at least 6 degrees of freedom. Thus, thedynamic reference frame 58 or any of the tracking sensors 258 can befixed relative to axial motion X, translational motion Y, rotationalmotion Z, yaw, pitch, and roll relative to the portion of the patient 28to which it is attached. Any appropriate coordinate system can be usedto describe the various degrees of freedom. Fixing the dynamic referenceframe 58 relative to the patient 28 in this manner can assist inmaintaining maximum accuracy of the navigation system 20.

The instrument 24 can be any appropriate instrument (e.g., a cannula, acatheter, a probe, a guide, a magnetic stimulator, etc.) and can be usedfor various procedures and methods, such as delivering a therapy, suchas a material or stimulus, to a selected portion of the patient 28, suchas within the cranium 29. Other exemplary instruments can also beimplantable members, scissors, clamps, retractors, etc. The material canbe any appropriate material such as a bioactive material, apharmacological material, a contrast agent, or any appropriate material.The stimulus can include an electrical stimulus provided by a probe tothe brain or spinal cord. As discussed further herein, the instrument 24can be precisely positioned via the navigation system 20 and otherwiseused to achieve a protocol for positioning the material relative to thepatient 28 in any appropriate manner, such as within the cranium 29. Theinstrument 24 may also include a brain probe to perform deep brainstimulation.

The delivery of a material, performing an intervention or procedure, orproviding a therapy to the anatomy can be assisted with images obtainedby the imaging device 26. The imaging device 26 can obtain images of thepatient 28 for display on the display device 22. Surgical navigation canassist the user in performing the procedure. An icon 100′ (FIG. 7),illustrating a position of the instrument 24 relative to the patient 28,can be displayed on the display device 22 relative to the image data 23.This can assist the surgeon 21 in determining the position of theinstrument 24 relative to the patient 28 and relative to a plannedposition of the instrument 24.

As discussed above, the instrument 24 can include the TMS probe 100. TheTMS probe 100 can include appropriate portions, such as a handle orgraspable portion 104 and the coil portions 102. It will be understoodthat the coil portion 102 can be provided as two coils 102 a, 102 b in asubstantially figure “8” configuration or any other appropriateconfiguration. The TMS probe 100 can be provided as any appropriatesystem, such as the MAGPRO X100™ TMS probe system provided by Medtronic,Inc. of the USA. One skilled in the art will understand the operation ofthe TMS probe 100, and the discussion herein is merely exemplary.Further, the TMS probe 100 can be provided in multiple configurationsincluding a single coil, two coplanar coils, two coils provided at anangle relative to one another, or combinations thereof.

Further, the coils can include selected centers 106 a, 106 b. Thecenters 106 a, 106 b can be provided of any appropriate size to create aselected field relative to the TMS probe 100. As one skilled in the artwill understand, the size of the coils, the size of the center openings106 a, 106 b, and other appropriate dimensions, power provisions, andthe like can be used to create a selected stimulation or magnetic field.

Generally, a current can be driven through the coil 102 which willproduce a magnetic field substantially perpendicular to the direction ofthe current. For example, a magnetic field can be produced in thedirection of arrows 108 a and 108 b. The magnetic fields, generally inthe direction of arrows 108 a, 108 b, can cooperate to produce a sharperor larger spike along an axis of where the two coils 102 a, 102 b meet.For example, a combined or cooperative field can move in the directionof arrow 110 and be provided between the two coils 102 a, 102 b. Thecooperative field position/direction, generally illustrated by arrow110, can be substantially focused, minimally dispersed, and strongrelative to the two individual fields produced by the two coils 102 a,102 b. Therefore, the area of stimulation, which is the area beingaffected by the cooperative field of the TMS probe 100, can besubstantially precise and strong. For example, the TMS probe 100 canform a focused stimulation region 112 that is a distance 112 a from thecenter of the first coil 102 a and 112 b from the center of the secondcoil 102 b.

The determination of the focused region 112 can be determined in anyappropriate manner. For example, the TMS probe 100 can be calibratedusing a generally known calibration system and technique to determinethe focused region 112. The position of the focused region 112 can bestored in the memory system 46 for access during navigation of the probe100.

The memory system 46 can be used to store the focused region 112substantially intraoperatively, preoperatively, or at any appropriatetime. Further, multiple localized regions can be determined or storedfor a plurality of TMS probes, such as TMS probes of differentconfigurations, manufacture, and the like. Therefore, once the TMS probe100 is used on a patient 28, the position of the focused region 112,relative to a point on the TMS probe 100, can be determined. Generally,the centers of the coils 102 a, 102 b are fixed relative to variousregions of the TMS probe 100. Therefore, the position of the focusedregion 112 can also be known relative to any appropriate position orlocation on the TMS probe 100.

Because the position of the focused region 112 is known relative tovarious portions of the TMS probe 100, the focused region 112 can betracked or navigated relative to the patient 28. The navigation of thefocused region 112 can be based upon a tracked or determined location ofthe TMS probe 100, according to various embodiments. The TMS probe 100can be tracked with the tracking system 50 to determine a location ofthe TMS probe 100 relative to the patient 28.

A determination of position of the TMS probe 100 relative to the patient28 can then be used to determine the position of the focused region 112relative to the patient 28. Further, planned positions for a focusedstimulation, such as a planned position 160 (FIG. 7) of the focusedregion 112 relative to the patient 28, can also be determined and theTMS probe 100 can be navigated or moved to the appropriate location toachieve the planned positioning and stimulation. The planned position160 can be any appropriate position determined pre-operatively orintra-operatively. The panned position or stimulation region 160 canalso be displayed on the image data, as discussed herein.

With continuing reference to FIG. 2, the TMS probe 100 can includevarious portions that are a part of the tracking system 50. For example,the TMS probe 100 can include or be associated with the tracking device31. The tracking device 31 can be tracked with the tracking system 50 todetermine a location of the tracking device 31. As discussed above,image data can be displayed on the display 22, and illustrated furtherherein, along with an icon 100′ illustrating the position of the TMSprobe 100 relative to the patient 28.

Further, the alternative localizer 52 b can be associated with the TMSprobe 100. The localizer 52 b can be affixed to the TMS probe in anyappropriate manner, such as adhesives, injection molding of anappropriate body, or any other appropriate method. Nevertheless, thelocalizer 52 b can be associated with the TMS probe 100 to allow for thecreation of the localizing field from a position of the TMS probe 100.Positioning the localizer 52 b on the TMS probe 100 can allow forpositioning the localizer 52 b and the field produced by itsubstantially near the area being navigated, within a single unit, andto various other advantages. Nevertheless, it will be understood thatthe localizer can be provided at any appropriate location, such as withthe localizer 52 and 52 a. The provision of the localizer 52 b on theTMS probe 100, however, is merely exemplary and can provide asubstantially mobile system.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the TMS probe 100 is generally operatedwith a TMS probe driver or stimulator system. The TMS probe system canbe integrated with the processing system 40 in the work station 42. Thesignal can be transmitted along line 120 to the array controller 54 andline 21 to the TMS probe 100. It will be understood, however, that thecontrol and stimulator portion for the TMS probe 100 can be provided asa separate system as opposed to being integrated with the work station42. The separate system can allow the TMS probe 100 to be substantiallyindependent and mobile relative to the navigation system 20.Nevertheless, the navigation system 20 can include the integrated TMSprobe controller to provide a substantially single unit system. Inaddition, the controller portion of the TMS probe 100 can be connectedto the workstation 42 for use during navigation and disconnectedthereafter. Therefore, the user input 44 and the display 22 can be usedto display the image data 23, the icon 100′ representing a position ofthe TMS probe 100 or other appropriate instrument 24 relative to thepatient 28, and the control features for the TMS probe 100. As isunderstood, the work station 42 can also be provided in a substantiallymobile manner to allow for movement of the navigation system 20 tovarious locations for use by the user 21.

As discussed above, the TMS probe 100, according to various embodiments,operates by producing or inducing an electric stimulation within aconductive material. The induction is formed by moving a current throughthe coils 102 a, 102 b of the TMS probe 100. According to variousembodiments, the localizers 52, 52, 52 b also produce magnetic orelectromagnetic fields by moving a current through a coil or multiplecoils defining the localizers 52, 52 a, 52 b. The two currents can beprovided at different frequencies. For example, the localizer frequencycan be about two kilohertz (kHz) while the frequency for the TMS probe100 can be about four kHz. If the frequencies are different thelocalizer arrays 52-52 b and the TMS probe 100 can be operatedsubstantially simultaneously and the processor system 40 or thenavigation system 50 can be used to remove the interference of themultiple frequencies to track the tracking devices 31 and 62. Thus, theTMS probe 100 and the tracking system 50 can be operated substantiallysimultaneously according to various embodiments. Alternatively, the TMSprobe can be operated separately or at a distinct time period from thetracking system 50. For example, the TMS probe 100 can be trackedrelative to the patient 28 using the tracking system and then the TMSprobe 100 can be energized to stimulate a selected portion of theanatomy. It will be understood that various other components can beprovided, such as a robotic arm, a mechanical linkage 150, or the liketo hold the TMS probe 100 in a selected location. Therefore, accordingto various embodiments, the TMS probe 100 can be navigated relative tothe patient 28 and the linkage system 150 (FIG. 1) can be interconnectedwith the TMS probe 100 to hold the TMS probe 100 relative to the patient28 in a selected position.

With reference to FIG. 3, according to various embodiments, the TMSprobe 100 can be associated with the tracking device 31. The trackingdevice 31 can be associated with the TMS probe in any appropriatemanner. For example, the tracking device 31 can be adhered to agraspable portion of the TMS probe 100. Alternatively, the trackingdevice 31 can include a housing that is molded with the TMS probe 100 tohouse the coils for the tracking device 31. Further, as discussed above,the tracking device 31 can include one or multiple coils that areprovided to either sense an electromagnetic field or transmit anelectromagnetic field.

The TMS probe 100 can be moved relative to the patient 28 in anyappropriate manner, such as by the surgeon 21 or with a holding device,such as the stand 150. Regardless, the TMS probe 100 can be movedrelative to the patient 28. The tracking device 31 can be used in thetracking system 50 to determine the position of the tracking device 31and the probe 100 in a coordinate system.

Associated with the patient 28, such as connected to the cranium 29, canbe the dynamic reference frame tracking device 62. The dynamic referenceframe 58, which can include the base 60 attached to the cranium 29, canbe used by the tracking system 50 to determine a position of the cranium29. As discussed above, the dynamic reference frame 58 can beinterconnected with the cranium 29 of the patient 28 to determine aposition of the cranium 29 in the patient space. The position of thedynamic reference frame 58 can be localized or registered to the imagedata 23 so that the display of the image data 23 can be displayed basedupon the location or movement of the cranium 29. The dynamic referenceframe 58 can be provided to determine movement of the cranium 29, eitherinadvertent or planned movement. The determination of the position ofthe dynamic reference frame 58 can also be used to determine a relativeposition of the TMS probe 100 relative to the cranium 29.

The localizer array 52 can produce a field that is sensed by both thedynamic reference frame 58 and the tracking device 31. Although, asdiscussed above, the opposite may be true, where the tracking devices31, 62 transmit a field and the localizer array 52 senses the field. Thediscussion of the localizer array 52, herein and above, is merelyexemplary and one skilled in the art will understand that the use of thelocalizer array 52 as a transmitting device will be provided for clarityand brevity of the current discussion.

The determination of the position of the tracking device 62 associatedwith the dynamic reference frame and the tracking device 31 associatedwith the TMS probe 100 can be used to determine relative positions ofthe cranium 29 and the TMS probe 100. Therefore, appropriaterepresentations can be provided on the display 22 of the image data ofthe cranium 29 and an icon, such as the icon 100′, representing the TMSprobe 100. The determination of the relative positions can be made bythe processor system 40.

In other words the localizer system 52, can produce a field, accordingto various embodiments, that is sensed by the tracking devices 31, 62.The sensing can include an induced voltage. The induced voltage canproduce a signal that is sent to the tracking system NPI 56. Thetracking system 50, then, can determine the position of the trackingdevices 31, 62 in the field. This can be used, therefore, to determinethe relative positions of the TMS probe 100 and the patient 28. Inaddition, if the patient space and image space are registered, thenavigation processor 40 can also determine the position of the TMS probe100 in image space and display an appropriate icon on the display device22, as discussed below.

Briefly turning reference to FIG. 7, the display device 22 can displaythe image data 23. Further, the display device 22 can display the icon100′ illustrating the relative position of the TMS probe 100 to thepatient 28, for example the brain of the patient 28. Further, variousother icons can be provided on the display device, such as an icon 112′illustrating the substantially focused area 112 produced by the TMSprobe 100. Various lines or vectors 112 a′ and 112 b′ can be illustratedto show the general area of the field being produced by the TMS probe100. Therefore, the display device 22 can illustrate both the positionof the TMS probe 100 and the focused area 112. The icons on the display22 can be used by a user, such as the surgeon 21, to determine whetherthe TMS probe is stimulating a selected area of the anatomy.

For example, the planned region 160 can be illustrated on the displaydevice 22. The planned region 160 can be any appropriate region, such asan optical center, an auditory center, a verbal center, or the like inthe brain or the patient 28. Nevertheless, the planned area 160 can besubstantially the area which is planned to receive the stimulation to beprovided by the TMS probe 100. The various icons and the display canassist the user in moving the TMS probe 100 until the focused area icon112′ is within the planned region 160. Further, the display device 22can be controlled to provide a visual feedback that the focused area 112is within the planned area 160. For example, the planned area 160 canchange colors, flash, or include other appropriate visual signals toindicate to the user 21 that the focused region 112 is within theplanned area 160.

A plan can be produced at any appropriate time, such as substantiallypreoperatively. The plan can be stored in the memory system 46 and canbe based upon pre-acquired image data, atlas model image data, or anyother appropriate data. Further, the plan can be based upon anappropriate or selected stimulation of the brain of the patient 28. Theplan can be a specialized plan produced by the user 21, a standardizedplan, or any other appropriate plan. Nevertheless, the display device 22can display the planned area 160 for viewing by the user 21 to assist indetermining an appropriate navigated location of the TMS probe 100relative to the patient 28. Further, the processing system 40 canprocess the image data 23 and display the icons 100′, 112′, 112 a′, 112b′, and 160 for viewing by the user 21. The processor system 40 canfurther determine the navigation to determine the location of the TMSprobe 100 relative to the patient 28. The determined location can bedisplayed with the appropriate icons and the image data 23.

With additional reference to FIG. 3, the tracking system 50 can use therelative positions of the dynamic reference frame 58 and the trackingdevice 31 on the TMS probe 100 to allow the processor system 40 todisplay the icons on the display device 22 at the appropriate locations.The tracking device 31 on the TMS probe 100 can be used by thenavigation system 20 to determine the location of the TMS probe 100relative to the patient 28. An appropriate therapy can then be appliedto the patient, such as an appropriate number of pulses, a duration ofpulses, or the like.

With reference to FIG. 4, and FIG. 7, the position of the TMS probe 100can be determined according to various embodiments. For example, asdiscussed above, the TMS probe 100 includes one or more coils 102 thatare operable to produce an electromagnetic field that can induce acurrent in a conductive material, which can stimulate the brain of thepatient 28. As an alternative, or in addition to the tracking device 31,illustrated in FIG. 3, the coils 102 can also act as the tracking devicethat can be tracked with the tracking system 50.

The localizer 52 can emit a field that induces a voltage in the coils102 the TMS probe 100, in a manner that is similar to the inducement ofa voltage in the tracking device 31. The voltage can produce a signalthat is transmitted to the NPI 56. A determination of the position ofthe coils 102 within the field, produced by the localizer array 52, canthen be determined. The dynamic reference frame 58 can be attached tothe cranium 29 of the patient 28. The position of the dynamic referenceframe 58 relative to the TMS probe 100 can also be determined.

The elimination of the tracking device 31, according to variousembodiments, can be used when a voltage is induced in the coils 102 ofthe TMS probe 100. As discussed above, the field emitted by thelocalizer device 52 can be at a different frequency than the stimulationfrequency of the TMS probe 100. Therefore, the systems can be providedto operate substantially in a non-interfering manner.

In addition, the coils 102 of the TMS probe 100 can be augmented toinclude a separate coil that can be used as a tracking device. Forexample, the coils 102 of the TMS probe 100 can be wrapped around thecenters 106 a, 106 b, as illustrated in FIG. 2. A separate winding canbe provided either coaxial with the coils 102 of the TMS probe 100 orsubstantially perpendicular to the coils 102 of the TMS probe 100. Itwill be understood that windings can be provided in any appropriateorientation relative to the coils 102, coaxial and perpendicular aremerely exemplary.

Nevertheless, the provision of the coils 102 of the TMS probe 100 or acoil provided substantially integrally therewith can be used as atracking portion that is alternative to the tracking device 31. The coil102 can be used to provide the same information to the tracking system50 as the tracking device 31. Thus, the position of the TMS probe 100can be determined relative to the patient 28, such as relative to theDRF 58.

In other words, the coil 102 of the TMS probe 100 can be used as thetracking device that reacts to the field produced by the localizersystem 52, according to various embodiments. The tracking system candetermine the position of the coil 102 in the field produced by thelocalizer system 52. The position of various portions relative to thecoils 102 can be determined, for example the location of the focusedregion 112. In addition, the position of the DRF 58 can be determined.Thus, the relative positions of the TMS probe 100 and the patient 28 canbe determined.

Briefly, the determination of the TMS probe 100 relative to the dynamicreference frame 58 can allow the processor system 40 to illustrate onthe display device 22 the relative position of the TMS probe 100 to theimage data 23 of the patient 28. As discussed above, the image space andthe patient space can be registered according to various embodiments. Asillustrated in FIG. 7, icons can be displayed on the display device 22to illustrate both the positions of the TMS probe 100 and the positionof the anatomy of interest, such as the brain.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 7, the localizer device 52 b can beprovided on the TMS probe 100, according to various embodiments. Forexample, the localizer device 52 b can be adhered to the TMS probe 100using various adhesives or connecting devices. Alternatively, or inaddition thereto, the TMS probe 100 can include a molded portion toenclose the various portions of the localizer device 52 b, such as thecoil array. The body of the TMS probe 100 and the housing for thelocalizer array 52 b can be injection molded or molded according to anyappropriate technique of an appropriate material.

The integration of the localizer device 52 b and the TMS probe 100 canallow the field produced by the localizer array 52 b to be substantiallynear the TMS probe 100. As discussed herein, the localizer array 52 canbe the “origin” of the tracking system. Alternatively, the DRF 58 can bethe origin and its position relative to the localizer array 52 b istracked. Regardless, the position of the TMS probe 100 can be known ordetermined relative to the origin of the field produced by the localizersystem 52 b. Alternatively, according to various embodiments, theposition of the probe can be determined as the position of the localizersystem 52 b receiving or sensing fields produced by the tracking device31.

The field produced by the localizer device 52 b can be used to determinethe location of the dynamic reference frame 58 within the field producedby the localizer device 52 b. The position of the dynamic referenceframe 58 within the field produced by the localizer device 52 b can beused to determine the position of the dynamic reference frame 58relative to the localizer device 52 b. The position of the TMS probe 100relative to the DRF 58 can be determined because the localizer 52 b isinterconnected with the TMS probe 100. In other words, the position ofthe TMS probe 100 relative to the localizer device 52 b can then be usedto determine the position of the TMS probe 100 relative to the dynamicreference frame 58.

The relative positions of the TMS probe 100 and the dynamic referenceframe 58 can then be used to determine the position of the TMS probe 100relative to the patient 28, and the cranium 29 of the patient 28. Theposition of the TMS probe 100 is known based upon its fixed relativeposition to the localizer device 52 b. The position of the DRF 58 in thefield of the localizer 52 b is determined. Thus, the position of the TMSprobe 100 relative to the DRF 52 can be determined.

The memory system 46 can include a stored position, such as a relativeposition of the localizer device 52 b relative to the TMS probe 100.Therefore, the determined position of the dynamic reference frame 58 tothe localizer device 52 b can be used to determine the position of theTMS probe 100 relative to the dynamic reference frame 58. Thatdetermination can then be used to determine the position of the TMSprobe relative to any position of the anatomy of the patient 28.Processor system 40 can make the various determinations and also displayon the display device 22 the determined positions of the TMS probe 100and the anatomy.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the icons representing the TMS probe 100 andthe image data can be displayed on the display device 22. The determinedrelative positions of the various portions in patient space can also bedisplayed on the display device 22.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, a determination of the position of theTMS probe 100 relative to the patient 28 can be based upon or can usethe field produced by the TMS probe 100. As discussed above, the TMSprobe 100 includes one or more coils 102 that are operable to produce oremit an electromagnetic field. The electromagnetic field produced by theTMS probe 100 can be used to produce or induce a voltage within thetracking device 62 of the dynamic reference frame 58. The field producedby the TMS probe 100 can be provided at an appropriate frequency,according to various embodiments, to induce a signal within the trackingdevice 62 of the dynamic reference frame 58. The position of the dynamicreference frame 58 within the field, produced by the TMS probe 100 canthen be determined, such as with the processor system 40. Thedetermination of the position of the dynamic reference frame 58 withinthe field produced by the TMS probe 100 can be used to determine theposition of the TMS probe 100 relative to the patient 28.

As discussed above, the dynamic reference frame 58 can be localized onthe patient 28 relative to the image data 23. Therefore, determining theposition of the dynamic reference frame 58 within the field produced bythe TMS probe 100 can be used to determine the relative position of theTMS probe 100 to the patient 28. In other words, the origin of thelocalization field will be the TMS probe 100 or the coils 102. Thus, thedetermined or sensed field of the DRF 58 will be relative to the originof the field produced by the TMS probe 100. This information can allowthe processor system 40 to determine the relative positions of the DRF58 and the TMS probe 100. The illustration of the relative position ofthe TMS probe and the anatomy of the patient, such as the brain, can bedisplayed on the display device 22, as illustrated in FIG. 7.

The TMS probe 100 can be provided to create a field that can be sensedby the dynamic reference frame 58. It will be understood, that thedynamic reference frame, in particular, the tracking device 62 of thedynamic reference frame 58, can be positioned substantially near thearea to be stimulated or where the TMS probe 100 will be positioned tostimulate the planned area in the anatomy. Therefore, the trackingdevice 62 of the dynamic reference frame 58 can be positioned within thefield produced by the TMS probe 100. Further, as discussed above, theTMS probe 100 can be fixed in a selected location with the holdingdevice 150. Therefore, the TMS probe 100 can be navigated relative to aselected portion of the anatomy of the patient 28 and can be fixed therewith the holding device 150.

According to various embodiments, such as those illustrated above, theTMS probe 100 can be navigated to a selected portion of the anatomy ofthe patient 28. The navigation of the TMS probe 100 relative to theappropriate portion of the patient 28 can be based upon any appropriatemethod. Nevertheless, the positioning of the TMS probe 100 relative tothe patient 28 can be used to stimulate a selected portion of theanatomy according to a selected manner.

With reference to FIG. 8, an illustration of a method 200 of tracking anavigated magnetic stimulation instrument, such as the TMS probe 100 isillustrated. The method 200 of navigating the TMS probe 100 can begin instart block 202. Next, or at any appropriate time, image data of thepatient 28 can be obtained in block 204.

The image data obtained of the patient 28 can be any appropriate imagedata. For example, the image data can include two dimensional or threedimensional image data. Further, the modality for obtaining the imagedata can be any appropriate type. For example, the image data caninclude magnetic resonance image data, computer tomography image data,positron emission data, tomography or any appropriate image data. Theimage data can either be obtained preoperatively and stored in anappropriate memory system, such as the memory 46, or obtainedintraoperatively during the stimulation procedure. Nevertheless, theimage data can be obtained of the patient and can be used for thenavigation procedure.

The image data can also be provided to be viewed on the display device22. After the image data is obtained, the image data can be displayed,such as on the display device 22, in block 206. The display of the imagedata in block 206 can be performed for various reasons.

At least two paths can be followed when performing the stimulationprocedure. One path can be a preoperative plan path 208. Alternatively,or in addition thereto, an intraoperative plan can be produced whenfollowing path 210. The diverging paths of preoperative planning 208 andintraoperative planning 210 can also converge and be usedsimultaneously, as discussed further herein.

If the preoperative planning path is followed in path 208, thenpreoperative planning of a procedure, including selecting a region tostimulate, can be performed in block 212. The preoperative planning caninclude various portions, such as an amount of stimulation, a length ofstimulation, a position of stimulation, and the like. For example,selecting a region to stimulate can be based upon selecting an affectedarea of the brain, an affected area of the anatomy, an area to bestudied, or the like. For example, it may be selected to map a region ofthe brain of the patient 28 that affects speech. Therefore, selecting aregion in the brain can be selecting a region that is generallyassociated with speech.

Once the preoperative plan has been created, the image data can beannotated with the preoperative plan. For example, the image data can beannotated with the selected region to be stimulated. As illustrated inFIG. 7, the area to be stimulated 160 can be illustrated with an icon.Therefore, as a part of the preoperative plan in block 212, the creationof the icon representing the area to be stimulated 160 can be created.

The preoperative plan can then be stored in block 214. The storing ofthe preoperative planning can include storing the region to bestimulated, storing the image data annotated with the region to bestimulated, storing the image data, and other appropriate information.The preoperative planning can be stored in the memory system 46 or inany appropriate accessible memory storage system.

If the preoperative plan path is not followed, the intraoperativeplanning path 210 can be followed. The intraoperative planning path 210can proceed to selecting a region to stimulate in block 216. The regionselected to be stimulated in block 216 can be any appropriate region.Further, the region to be stimulated can be substantially randomlychosen during a stimulation procedure based upon interaction of thepatient with the user 21, the user's knowledge 21, or other appropriateindices. Further, the intraoperative selection of a region to stimulatein block 216 can be used for various research purposes. For example, aregion of the brain can be randomly selected and stimulated and adetermination of an effect on the anatomy can be studied. For example, aregion of the brain can be stimulated and an evaluation of the patient's28 speech patterns can be performed. Therefore, selecting a regionintraoperatively in block 216 to be stimulated can be used to determinevarious portions of the brain that control various activities of theanatomy of the patient 28.

Regardless of the path followed, whether the preoperative planning 208or the intraoperative planning path 210, the selected region to bestimulated can be displayed on the display device 22, optionally, inblock 218. It will be understood that displaying a region to bestimulated need not be required. For example, the region to bestimulated can be stored in the memory system 26 and a robotic systemcan move the TMS probe 100 to an appropriate location relative to thepatient 28 based upon the selected region to be stimulated. Therefore,displaying the selected region on the display device 22 is not required.Further, displaying a selected region to be stimulated can includedisplaying an icon representing a specific region to be stimulated onthe display device 22. As discussed above, the determination of such aspecific area of the anatomy, such as within the brain, need not berequired.

During a procedure, the determination of the position of the TMS probein patient space can be determined in block 220. The determination ofthe position of the TMS probe 100 can be based upon the tracking system50 tracking the TMS probe 100, according to various embodimentsincluding those discussed above. As discussed above, the position of theTMS probe 100 can be determined based upon various embodiments of thetracking system associated with the TMS probe 100. For example, thetracking device 31 can be associated with the TMS probe 100 to betracked relative to the patient 28, such as relative to the dynamicreference frame 58. Nevertheless, various systems, according to variousembodiments, can be used to track the position of the TMS probe andpatient space. Generally, tracking the position of the TMS probe andpatient space includes determining the position of the TMS proberelative to the patient.

Determining the position of the TMS probe 100 can allow displaying aposition of the TMS probe in image space in block 222. Again, althoughit may be selected to display the position of the TMS probe in imagespace, such as with the icon 100′, displaying the position of the TMSprobe is not required. The position of the TMS probe can be used forvarious informative purposes for the user 21, but can also be optionalinformation. For example, a robot or other control system can be used tomove the TMS probe 100 to the patient 28.

In addition, the display of a position of the focused region can beproduced on the image device 22 in block 224. The position of thefocused region, or the region being stimulated, may be selected to bedisplayed on the display device 22 while not displaying the position ofthe probe 100 relative to the image data on the display device 22. Theposition of the TMS probe 100 relative to the patient 28 may not be ascritical or as helpful as displaying the focused region 212 produced bythe TMS probe 100. Therefore, the display of the position of the focusedregion 212 in block 224 can be displayed on the display device 22without displaying other information.

As discussed above, the determination of the focused region of the TMSprobe can be determined based upon its position relative to the portionbeing tracked, such as the tracking device 31. The position of thefocused region can be determined in any appropriate manner, such as acalibration system, a factory determined position, or other appropriatedeterminations.

The anatomy can also be stimulated in block 226 such as generally wherethe focused region is produced. The anatomy can be stimulated in block226 according to any appropriate manner, such as according to thepreoperative plan in block 212 or according to any other appropriateindices, such as user experience. Then the procedure may end in block228.

According to various embodiments, a probe, such as the TMS probe 100 canbe tracked and navigated relative to the patient 28. The variousembodiments can include multiple portions that work together or areassociated with one another to allow tracking of the TMS probe 100.Alternatively, or in addition thereto, the TMS probe 100 can includevarious portions that can be used with an electromagnetic trackingsystem 50 to determine the position of the TMS probe 100 in patientspace relative to the patient 28. As discussed above, the determinationof the TMS probe 100 and patient space can then be used to determine theposition of the TMS probe 100 and the focused region of the TMS probe100 and image space. The determination of the position of the TMS probe100 and the focused region 112, can be based upon a known position ofthe focused region 112 relative to the TMS probe and the registration ofthe image space and patient space, as discussed above. Therefore, anavigation system can be used to guide the TMS probe 100 relative to theselected region of the patient 28 to provide a stimulation thereto.

The teachings herein are merely exemplary in nature and, thus,variations that do not depart from the gist of the teachings areintended to be within the scope of the teachings. Such variations arenot to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of theteachings.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system to navigate a procedure for a patient,comprising: a magnetic stimulation probe having a first conductive coilthat is configured to operate in a first manner to produce a probeelectromagnetic field having an electromagnetic focal region, the probeelectromagnetic field being operable to induce a therapeutic current ina conductive material of the patient at the electromagnetic focalregion; and an electromagnetic tracking system having an electromagneticlocalizer configured to generate a localization field, theelectromagnetic tracking system includes the first coil configured tooperate in a second manner to sense the localization field or generateat least a portion of the localization field, wherein theelectromagnetic tracking system further includes a processor configuredto determine a position of the electromagnetic focal region relative tothe patient based at least in part on the localization field produced bythe electromagnetic localizer.
 2. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising: a dynamic reference frame configured to be associated withthe patient; wherein the electromagnetic localizer field is sensed bythe dynamic reference frame.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the firstmanner includes a first current at a first frequency that can be driventhrough the first conductive coil to produce the probe electromagneticfield; and the second manner includes a second current at a secondfrequency that can be driven through the first conductive coil toproduce at least a portion of the localizer electromagnetic field. 4.The system of claim 3 wherein the first frequency is about fourkilohertz and the second frequency is about two kilohertz.
 5. The systemof claim 1, wherein the magnetic stimulation probe further comprises asecond conductive coil adjacent to the first conductive coil configuredto operate in the first manner.
 6. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising an imaging device to obtain image data of the patient, and adisplay device operable to display the image data of the patient, and anicon displaying a position of the focal region where the probeelectromagnetic field is operable to induce the current in theconductive material.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the displaydevice is further operable to display a stimulation region icon thatillustrates the selected position for stimulating the patient with theinduced current.
 8. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a memorysystem operable to store a procedure plan including a selected positionfor inducing a current in the patient.
 9. A method to navigate aprocedure for an anatomy of a patient, comprising: driving two coils ofa magnetic stimulation probe to operate in a first manner to generate afocal region of an electromagnetic field, the focal region being apredetermined distance from the magnetic stimulation probe and beingoperable to induce a therapeutic current in a conductive material at alocation in the anatomy of the patient at the focal region; tracking aposition of the magnetic stimulation probe by operating at least onecoil of the two coils in a second manner different than the first mannerwith an electromagnetic tracking system; and displaying image data ofthe patient and an icon representing the position of the focal regionsuperimposed on displayed image data based upon a tracked position ofthe magnetic stimulation probe on a display device.
 10. The method ofclaim 9, further comprising obtaining the image data of a portion of thepatient.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein obtaining the image data ofa portion of the patient includes obtaining at least one of magneticresonance image data, tomography image data, positron emissiontomography image data, and combinations thereof.
 12. The method of claim9, wherein tracking a position of the magnetic stimulation probeincludes: operating the magnetic stimulation probe in the second mannerto generate a localizing electromagnetic field and sensing thelocalizing electromagnetic field with a tracking device of a dynamicreference frame associated with the patient; and determining a relativeposition of the magnetic stimulation probe based on a determinedrelative position of the magnetic stimulation probe and the dynamicreference frame.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein tracking a positionof the magnetic stimulation probe includes: producing the localizingelectromagnetic field with a localizer array separate from the magneticstimulation probe; and determining a position of the two coils of themagnetic stimulation probe by sensing the localizing electromagneticfield with at least one coil of the two coils of the magneticstimulation probe.
 14. The method of claim 9, further comprising:determining a portion of the anatomy to be stimulated; navigating thefocal region to the portion of the anatomy to be stimulated; and whereindisplaying an icon representing the position of the focal regionincludes positioning the focal region in the determined area to bestimulated.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein determining the regionof the anatomy to be stimulated occurs prior to the operation of themagnetic stimulation probe.
 16. A system to navigate a procedure for apatient, comprising: an electromagnetic tracking system including anelectromagnetic localizer system having at least a first conductive coilto be configured in a first manner to generate a localization field; amagnetic stimulation probe configured to be external to the patient andhaving second and third conductive coils, the second coil beingconfigured to be switched to: i) operate as at least one of sense thelocalization field or operate as at least the first conductive coil ofthe electromagnetic localizer system to generate the localization field,and ii) produce a probe electromagnetic field when operated in a secondmanner different than the first manner, wherein the probeelectromagnetic field is configured to induce a therapeutic current in aconductive material of the patient at a focal region; and a processorconfigured to determine a position of the focal region relative to thepatient based at least in part on a localization field produced by theelectromagnetic localizer system.
 17. The system of claim 16, furthercomprising: a display device configured to display image data of thepatient on the display device, the display device is further configuredto display a position of the focal region based on a tracked position ofthe magnetic stimulation probe including a focal region iconrepresenting the position of the focal region superimposed on thedisplayed image data based upon the tracked position of the magneticstimulation probe due to at least sensing or generating a localizingelectromagnetic field without displaying the location of the probe. 18.The system of claim 16, wherein the magnetic stimulation probe and thelocalizer are integrated as one instrument.
 19. The system of claim 16,wherein the electromagnetic tracking system further includes a localizerarray separate from the magnetic stimulation probe, wherein thelocalizer array is configured to produce the localization field adistance from the magnetic stimulation probe.
 20. The system of claim16, wherein the second and third coils are co-planar.